Manitoba Liberals Present Alternative Throne Speech

WINNIPEG - In the lead up to next week's throne speech, Manitoba Liberals presented their alternate vision for Manitoba, focusing on children, better health, the environment, jobs and democracy.

"If we want a better future, we have to make keeping children safe a priority," said Lamont. "Despite years of having some of the deepest poverty in Canada, and the highest levels of crime and incarceration, the Manitoba government does not have a credible plan that will actually make a dent in poverty, crime, the environment or job creation."

Manitoba Liberals say they would:

Put Children First

Manitoba Liberals will put children first, with the goal of making Manitoba a "child-friendly" province in order to ensure the next generation grows up safe with the skills and tools they need to succeed, by:

Ending the wait list for Early Childhood Education (ECE) by moving ECE to the education department, funding new spaces with fair wages, especially not-for-profit spaces

Lifting people and families out of poverty by ending EIA as we know it and replacing it with jobs and basic income programs

Expanding the mandate of the Children's Advocate beyond CFS to include other interactions with government services, including mental health care, addictions, education and more

Reduce Crime & Make Communities Safer

Create 24/7 safe places for kids and people at risk, together with municipalities and school divisions

Create a "Violence Prevention Unit" (VPU) and anti-gang interventions based on successful programs used in Glasgow together with police, service providers and communities

Work across party lines to seek federal changes for new laws and tougher enforcement of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking

What really matters isn't just treating people who are unwell - it's actually getting people healthier. Manitoba Liberals will focus on prevention in health to drive down the rate and costs of preventable and treatable diseases - especially diabetes and mental health.

Launch a province-wide diabetes prevention program that includes and partners with First Nations and Indigenous communities

Restore coverage for life-saving drugs, including coverage for diabetes supplies and insulin pumps for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Set up a 24/7 virtual clinic for people with addictions to get referrals

End the cap on hip and knee surgeriesLaunch an all-party review of Personal Care Homes

Commit to supporting a National Pharmacare Program

Environmental Renewal

Commit to stop using our lakes and rivers as sewage lagoons by funding upgrades to the North End Treatment Plant and changes to Winnipeg's sewers

Drop the lawsuit against the Federal Government on Climate Change

Improve solar incentives to build the solar industry in Manitoba strengthen the grid

Invest in electric car charging stations

Support for Manitoba businesses looking to transition to clean energy

Restore 50/50 funding for transit in Winnipeg

Good Jobs and the Economy

Make infrastructure and investments a priority

End the freeze on funding to municipalities

Commit to matching and spending federal infrastructure dollars

Recognize the state of emergency declared by the City of Winnipeg and other municipalities in the aftermath of the storm, and apply for Federal Assistance

Recognize the State of Emergency in rural RMs that have been suffering from drought and apply for Federal Assistance

Go back to the drawing board on Crown Lands Leases to ensure that Manitoba ranchers rights are respected

Use the Manitoba Investment Corporation to provide start-up and scale-up capital for Manitoba entrepreneurs and farmers

Removing the $500 head tax from Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

Commit to "no privatizations"

Democratic Engagement & Accountability

Instead of spending millions on hiring outside consultants, make greater use of all-party committees and task forces to engage directly with Manitobans

Have a referendum on Daylight Savings as part of the next general election

Ensure that a "snap election" can only be called with a 2/3 vote of the legislature

Call an inquiry into political interference in Crown Corporations

Modernize Manitoba's archaic Conflict of Interest Laws

"Whether it is violent crime and addiction, the environment or jobs, we need to listen to the real concerns of Manitobans and act," said Lamont. "For many of these issues, it hasn't mattered whether the PCs or the NDP were in power - the policies have been just the same for decades. If people want change, the only party offering it is the Manitoba Liberals."